Gastroenterology Fellowship

Program Director's Message

The three-year gastroenterology fellowship provides extensive experience in all aspects of gastroenterology, endoscopy, hepatology and nutrition. Our fellows have the opportunity to become expert in these areas through NYU Winthrop's formalized centers of excellence with state-of-the-art equipment and through rotations in advanced hepatology and liver transplantation at New York University. Graduating fellows successfully establish themselves in academic or clinical careers of their choice. Our fellows have presented abstracts and posters at the annual meetings of the American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology, and at NYU Winthrop Hospital’s Research Day.

NYU Winthrop Hospital is committed to excellence in graduate medical education. An Independent Academic Medical Center located on Long Island, NYU Winthrop’s 591-bed tertiary care hospital sponsors exceptional graduate medical education programs. The institution is proud of its 100+ years of clinical excellence.

In 2015, NYU Winthrop Hospital opened a new, state-of-the-art, 95,000 square-foot Research and Academic Center. The building houses a large auditorium, many conference and classrooms, a new Simulation Center, basic science laboratories, clinical research centers, and the biostatistics department. NYU Winthrop’s inpatient and outpatient facilities offer a full range of patient care experiences. Our dedicated faculty are excellent teachers and mentors.

NYU Winthrop is clearly at the forefront of medicine:

NYU Winthrop Hospital was named the 18th best large employer in America by Forbes Magazine in 2017

Magnet Recognized Hospital

NYU Winthrop Hospital is in the top 5% of U.S. Hospitals for Clinical Excellence as reported by healthgrades

NYU Winthrop Hospital is a 591 bed hospital and offers a wide variety of clinical services. The hospital boasts many residency and fellowship programs across a variety of specialties and subspecialties. NYU Winthrop is also a clinical campus for Stony Brook University School of Medicine, where each year third year and fourth year medical students complete their clinical training. The large number of house staff and medical students along with the dedicated faculty promotes an academic environment rich in clinical educational experiences.

Education in standard GI procedures during the first year is followed during the second and third year with training in the newer modalities of investigational and therapeutic procedures such as endoscopic ultrasound, laser therapy, colonic and rectal motility studies, and 24-hour monitoring of esophageal pH and motility. Throughout the three-year program, fellows follow patients in the weekly outpatient GI and liver clinics, and gain knowledge in nutrition and total parenteral nutrition by participating in the nutrition support team and nutrition clinic. In their second and third years, GI fellows learn techniques of clinical basic research.

NYU Winthrop Hospital accepts applications for its Gastroenterology fellowship program only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)

The application must include the following:

Dean’s Letter

Medical School Transcript

At least 3 Letters of Reference

Curriculum Vitae including honors and publications in ERAS format

USMLE/COMLEX Transcript

Personal Statement

Photograph

Selected applicants will be invited to schedule an interview after review of their application. If you have been selected for an interview you will receive an email with information about how to make these arrangements.

James H. Grendell, MD graduated from College of Medicine, Ohio State University. Internship and residency in Internal Medicine completed at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Gastroenterology fellowship completed at University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Grendell is board certified GI, is a Professor of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine and has a special interest in diseases of the pancreas.

David Friedel, MD graduated from the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. Internal Medicine residency completed at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, and gastroenterology fellowship completed in 1989 at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In GI practice 1989 – 2004. EUS fellowship from September 2004 - April 2005 at Winthrop-University Hospital. May 2005 to present –Attending Physician, Division of Gastroenterology. He is board certified in GI and is Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, School of Medicine. His specialty is advanced endoscopy procedures.

Stavros Stavropoulos, MDDirector of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Advanced Endoscopy Program

Stavros Stavropoulos, MD graduated from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1994. Internal Medicine residency program completed at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, Gastroenterology Fellowship and Advanced Fellowship training in interventional endoscopy completed at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in 2002. On staff at Columbia 2002-2007. Director of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Endoscopic Ultrasound at NYU Winthrop Hospital from October, 2007. He is board certified in GI and his specialty is state-of-the art diagnostics and minimally invasive interventions.

Peter F. Malet, MDDirector, Center for Liver Diseases

Peter F. Malet, MD graduated from State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Internship and residency in Internal Medicine completed at Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York. Gastroenterology fellowship completed at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA. Assistant/Associate Professor of Medicine at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 1982-1997. AssociateProfessor/Professor of Medicine at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 1997-2009. He is Director, Center for Liver Diseases at NYU Winthrop Hospital. He is board certified in GI and Transplant Hepatology. His subspecialty is Hepatology.

Bhawna Halwan, MDAttending Physician

Bhawna Halwan, MD graduated from medical school, Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil. Internship and residency at State University of New York at Buffalo, New York.

Gastroenterology fellowship completed at Yale University, CT. Masters of Science in Clinical Research, Rollins School of Public Health-Emory University, Atlanta, GA 2008. 2007-2009 Director of Esophageal and Motility Services, State University of New York - Brooklyn. She is board certified in GI and her specialties are: esophageal motility, irritable bowel syndrome, GI bleeding, gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Raluca Vrabie, MDAttending Physician

Raluca Vrabie, MD graduated from medical school, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York. Internship and residency in Internal Medicine completed at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. Gastroenterology fellowship completed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Attending physician at NYU Winthrop Hospital, GI Division since August 2010 and Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine. She is board certiified in GI and her specialty is: inflammatory bowel disease and women’s health.

Rani Modayil, MD graduated from medical school, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY. Internship and residency in Internal Medicine Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, NY. Gastroenterology fellowship and advanced endoscopy fellowship completed at Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, NY. Dr. Modayil specializes in advanced therapeutic endoscopy for the management of gastrointestinal malignancies as well as diseases of the pancreas and biliary tract.

Jessica Widmer, DO graduated from medical school, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pennsylvania. Internal medicine residency and GI fellowship completed at NYU Winthrop Hospital. Interventional endoscopy fellowship completed at New York Presbyterian - Weill Cornell in New York. Dr. Widmer specializes in advanced therapeutic endoscopy for the management of gastrointestinal malignancies as well as diseases of the pancreas and biliary tract.

NYU Winthrop Hospital’s graduate medical education programs create an atmosphere in which cultural and ethnic differences among patients, staff, and house staff are recognized, respected, understood and embraced. Residents participate in the care of a diverse group of patients and have the opportunity to work with colleagues from varied backgrounds. NYU Winthrop aims to bring the best residents, fellows and faculty from all ethnic, racial and gender groups to learn and care for patients in this diverse environment.

House Staff Benefits

Housing

Housing accommodations, at heavily subsidized rates, are available in apartment buildings and residential homes within close proximity to the NYU Winthrop Hospital campus. If a member of the house staff requests NYU Winthrop housing and it cannot be provided, a live-off allowance may be provided.

Salary

Salaries are highly competitive with other academic medical centers in the New York metropolitan region. Tax deferred annuity is available.

2018-2019 Annual Salary

PGY 1

$66,259

PGY 2

$69,123

PGY 3

$72,108

PGY 4

$75,034

PGY 5

$77,958

PGY 6

$80,883

PGY 7

$83,808

PGY 8

$86,745

Meals

Residents and fellows are provided with three complimentary meals per day, seven days per week, in NYU Winthrop’s full service cafeteria (up to $4.00 for breakfast, $5.40 for lunch and dinner).

House Staff Lounge

NYU Winthrop Hospital’s new house staff lounge is accessible 24/7. The spacious and comfortable lounge is equipped with computers, wifi, television, foosball table, lockers, lounge chairs, as well as coffee and tea.

Vacation

NYU Winthrop Hospital residents and fellows receive four weeks of vacation (20 working days) within each contract year.

Conference Time

PGY 1 level residents are eligible to attend one local conference (New York Metropolitan Area), at the discretion of the Program Director. House staff at the PGY 2 level and above are eligible for one trip, maximum of five consecutive weekdays, to an approved professional conference in the continental United States each year, at the discretion of the Program Director.

Educational Allowance

Reimbursement for allowable educational expenses is available up to a maximum of $75 for PGY 1 residents and $700 for PGY2 and higher residents and subspecialty fellows.

TransitChek Commuter Benefit Program

The TransitChek Commuter Benefit Program is available. This program allows the resident/fellow to deduct pre-tax money to pay for mass transit or commuter parking (up to a predefined maximum).

Additional Benefits Include:

Free parking while on duty

Prescription medications in the Hospital formulary…free to residents and at cost for eligible dependents

Paid sick leave

Free laundry service for lab coats and other hospital uniforms

Health club membership reimbursement…up to $100 per academic year

An “Arts and Humanities” series… complementing your medical education with exposure to music, literature, history and fine arts

Graduation dinner gala

Insurance Benefits

Medical and Dental Coverage

NYU Winthrop Hospital is committed to providing residents with a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include generous medical, pharmaceutical, and dental coverage, as well as flexible spending accounts. Benefits are effective from the first day of residency/fellowship.

Disability Insurance

Residents/fellows are covered by short-term, non-occupational disability insurance (up to six months). To be eligible for disability insurance benefits, one must be on the payroll for a minimum of twenty (20) work days (four consecutive weeks) and unable to work for more than seven (7) calendar days, due an injury or illness that does not arise out of, and in the course of, employment. These benefits, which supplement lost income, are based on salary level and are payable for up to 26 weeks after the employees accrued sick time has been used.

The long term disability benefit begins after six months of short term disability. It pays a monthly benefit for an extended illness or injury. The monthly benefit is offset by benefits from other sources, such as Workers Compensation and Social Security.

Workers Compensation

House staff receive compensation, in accordance with the Workers Compensation Law, for any illness or injury which is job related. Benefits include payment for medical expenses and lost pay.

Family and Medical Leave

In accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993, NYU Winthrop Hospital will grant residents/fellows unpaid leave(s) for up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period. To be eligible, one must have worked 12 months at the Hospital and a minimum of 1250 hours in the twelve-month period prior to the start date of the requested leave. FMLA leave may be granted for the birth, adoption or acceptance for foster care of a child; for the care of a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition; or for the employee’s own serious illness.

Residents/fellows may to return to their training program after a leave of absence, without loss of training status, if their leave does not exceed that allowed by the specialty boards.

Professional Liability Insurance

NYU Winthrop’s residents/fellows are provided with professional liability coverage for the duration of their training through the Hospital’s self-insurance program. Coverage provides legal defense and protection against awards from claims reported or filed after the completion of graduate medical education if the alleged acts are within the scope of the education program.

Life Insurance

Basic Life Insurance is provided by the hospital at no cost to the resident/fellow. This benefit equals 1 X the resident/fellow’s annual salary payable to the beneficiary. Residents/fellows may purchase additional voluntary life insurance up to 3X their annual salary (combined basic and voluntary may not exceed $500,000).

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

Provided by the hospital at no cost to the resident/fellow.

Retirement Plan

A Defined Contribution 403(b) Plan is available for voluntary pre-tax/after-tax contribution.

Employee Health Services

NYU Winthrop Hospital residents and fellows are provided with pre-employment physicals, annual health assessments, and Tuberculosis screenings, as well as vaccines and required health surveillance free of charge through the hospital’s Employee Health Service. In addition, if a member of the house staff becomes ill while at work, he or she will be seen at no charge by an Employee Health practitioner, or by the Emergency Room staff if the Employee Health Service practitioner is not available.

Counseling Services

Free assessment, referral and brief psychotherapy services are available on a confidential basis to members of the House Staff and their immediate families.

Employee Assistance Program & Work/Life Assistance Program

This resource is available to residents/fellows and their family members to assist with:

The longest and largest island in the contiguous United States, Long Island stretches over 100 miles from New York City to Montauk Point. A celebrated summer vacation spot, Long Island offers seasonal beauty, professional sports events, art museums and galleries, and fabulous cuisine. Eastern Long Island has gained fame as for its vineyards, and is home to almost 20 wineries. From NYU Winthrop it is a short trip to Manhattan, where you can enjoy world class dining, museums, and endless cultural opportunities. From scenic Atlantic Ocean beaches to Fire Island, the Hamptons and Montauk Point, Long Island has something for everyone.

Convenient access to NY City is available by Long Island Railroad located directly adjacent to NYU Winthrop Hospital. Residents and fellows take advantage of the opportunity enjoy the myriad of cultural, social, and professional activities in New York City. Additionally, NYU Winthrop's location in central Nassau County allows easy access to spectacular beaches.

The village of Mineola is a wonderful place to live and work. Mineola affords one the opportunity to enjoy the relaxed Long Island lifestyle, while living only 30 minutes away (via LIRR) from the attractions of NYC.

The close vicinity of the hospital, where most of the resident housing is located, is an excellent location for both families and single residents. Aside from a LIRR station leading directly into NYC, the area is surrounded by a quiet residential neighborhood and a large park with sports facilities, open fields, and a local library. The Roosevelt field mall, one of the largest retail centers on Long Island, is located less than a mile away from the hospital along with a large conglomerate of brand name stores and services.

You can also enjoy the wonderful things that Long Island itself has to offer You will find that living in Mineola is a sound choice from the economic perspective. While residents living in large cities incur significant living expenses, Mineola is very affordable.

Student Rotations

Resident and fellow Rotations

Residents and fellows can apply for a rotation with any department by contacting the academic coordinator for that program via email with a copy of your CV and the dates you are requesting for your rotation.

The department will review your CV and let you know if there are any rotation spots available for the time requested. If you are approved for the rotation the Office of Academic Affairs will contact you with the necessary paperwork.